PARADISE — In the midst of the charred and twisted remains of Paradise, 12 faces of hope grace unexpected canvases of half walls, crumbling chimneys and skeletons of burnt vehicles.

The murals rise from the ash and rubble of the most destructive wildfire in California history, reminders that there still is beauty in this devastated town and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Like “everybody else” Shane Grammer, a Chico native who now lives with his wife Missy and their three daughters in Los Angeles, heard about the fire on the news and “like everybody else didn’t think much about it other than, ‘there’s another fire.’” It wasn’t until pictures and videos taken by those escaping and then by those returning including, friends he’d grown up with, began appearing on social media platforms that Grammer said “the scope, the full impact” of the event hit him.

“I’ve always had a heart to bring hope and joy to the downcast and broken hearted through my art so this has been a theme in my life,” said Grammer.

A freelance artist who primarily works in the theme park industry, Grammer has traveled the world using his skills as a street artist to paint images of inspiration in inner city and poverty-stricken, crime-ridden or ravaged communities in San Francisco, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Cambodia.

It was “emotionally conflicting” for Grammer to see the devastation of the Camp Fire and the possibility in its aftermath simultaneously.

“I’m a street artist at heart. I love painting on crazy surfaces — alleyway walls, under bridges — with permission of course. When I saw burnt cars and chimneys my street artist side took over. I saw both great canvases and a way to bring beauty to into the wreckage,” said Grammer.

When old friends, Shane and Jennifer Edwards, posted a photo of their destroyed home on Clark Road the artist reached out and asked if he could paint a mural on the only thing left standing, their chimney. The Edwards said yes.

The mural, which originally was the only one Grammer intended to paint, was inspired by an on-going series the artist is working on called “The Bride,” based on the love story “Song of Solomon” from the Old Testament.

“She’s not a bride in the traditional sense. She’s a representation of the allegory that story teaches us. God is the king and the bride represents mankind. The mural is meant to remind us that God is passionately in love with us and always with us,” said Grammer.

Grammer returned home after finishing the painting but images of the mural, called by those posting it “Beauty Among the Ashes,” went viral. Through the comments posted, Grammer knew he had accomplished what he set out to do “bring hope and joy” to the people of Paradise.

“People said when they came around the corner and saw it, it was like ‘a slap of beauty’ in their face,” he said.

The response to the mural was so profound Missy told him he needed to go back to Paradise and paint more. Grammer gave a shout out on Facebook asking if others would allow him to paint on their property. The response was immediate.

Grammer ultimately made two weeklong trips to Paradise. A Sacramento client, Hughey Phillips LLS, offered to cover his expenses and provide photographer Terence Duffy to document the work.

Armed with “cans and cans” of Montana 94 transparent spray paint, Grammer worked in heavy clothing and combat boots among the ashes, ultimately creating a dozen murals that span the area from lower Clark Road to the Magalia border and down the Skyway to Pearson Road.

With the exception of a large wooden cross there wasn’t much left of Hope Christian Church on Pentz Road but Jeana Darby, worship leader and ministry director, told Grammer if he could find a “canvas” in the debris he was welcome to paint on the property.

Grammer selected the husk of the cement baptismal.

On the ruins of the baptismal at Hope Christian Church, Shane Grammer paints a portrait titled “Jesus” at the church in Paradise. (Terence Duffy — Contributed illustrated photo)

“I was baptized in that baptismal. So were my brother, my husband and my best friend. Everything is in utter ruin around it and then there’s this inspiring portrait of Jesus. When I saw it, it took my breath away. It’s a very encouraging and uplifting reminder that in this pile of rubbish, in this tragedy Jesus is in the middle of it with us and we are not alone,” said Darby.

Among the dozen murals there are only two portraits of Paradise residents. On Glen Drive the face of a young girl, Eleanor, is painted on the partial remains of her family’s lost home. In the portrait Eleanor’s chin is lifted and her gaze is raised toward the sky.

“When the picture was taken, she was facing the front window and looking up at tree that boomed purple every spring. It was her favorite spot. It’s almost like Eleanor is looking at that tree in the mural even though there’s only a charred, black stump left,” said Grammer.

On the only wall left standing of his former Sunday school teacher and basketball coach, Gary Drews’ home, Grammer painted a portrait of Drews’ mother-in-law, Helen Pace, 84, who perished in her own home in the Camp Fire.

Shane Grammer paints a portrait of Helen Pace, 84, on the wall of her daughter Suzanne Drews home in Paradise. Pace died in her own home in the Camp Fire. (Terence Duffy — Contributed illustrated photo)

“I was amazed, almost speechless when I saw the photograph of the wonderful work Shane did. I don’t think the mural will stay forever but I’m glad he did it. She has such a wondering, questioning expression. It’s a very good depiction,” said Suzanne Drews, Pace’s daughter.

Grammer said the Paradise mural project was both “emotionally draining and uplifting.” And while he knows as a street artist that his work is transitory, that all the “canvases” in Paradise could be torn down at any moment, he hopes the “beauty, hope and little bit of joy” they brought to people’s hearts remain indelible.